Sheriff Michael W. Neustrom and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office honored outstanding Deputies at the quarterly awards ceremony held Tuesday April 17, 2007. Deputies representing the Administrative, Enforcement and Corrections Divisions were recognized for outstanding service to the Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Lafayette Parish.

Corrections

Deputy Judy Kern – Deputy Kern currently serves in the KITE Program and is being nominated for “inspiring each and every inmate in the program and instilling belief in each inmate that he/she can overcome their battle with drug addiction." Several inmates have commented on how much Deputy Kern has helped them and how thankful they are to have taken part in the KITE Program – many feel they would not have been able to stay drug free without it.

Enforcement

Deputy George Crowder – Deputy Crowder has served with the Sheriff's Office for 11 years and received two nominations:

(1) While serving with the Metro Narcotics Task Force, his duties ranged from working as an undercover agent, serving in the Intel section, and serving as an instructor for A.L.E.T.A. In addition to these duties, Deputy Crowder was assigned to work with the Lafayette Parish school system to conduct drug awareness workshops for all the schools in the parish. Deputy Crowder would “spend many hours outside of his normal working hours preparing for the workshops and received requests from other groups outside the school system to speak." None of the requests was refused. His supervisors have received several letters and emails from people who have attended his workshops complimenting him on his efforts. When speaking, “it was very obvious that he spoke from the heart and cared about the information he was sharing." Deputy Crowder “excels as a true professional – his dedication, knowledge, skill, and humble style have gained the respect of everyone he has come into contact with."

(2) With only one week's notice, Deputy Crowder made a 45-minute presentation for a 7th grade class, which was attended by a co-worker whose child is a class member. The teacher was impressed with his presentation, which was “very well informed and suitable for the children of our parish" and requested he come again next year.

Administration

Deputy Suzanne Eason – Deputy Eason has been nominated “for being the consummate secretary who can do it all" – type fast, organize schedules, deal with the public, and keep her boss organized – all the time with a genuine smile on her face. She is “a team player who goes beyond the clock to see that things are in order and done properly and is a valuable, devoted member of the organization who puts forth maximum effort to make sure the Lafayette Sheriff's Office performs its job to the most professional level possible. The Sheriff's Office is fortunate to have someone with her ability and commitment."